Touching Base: A Message from the Chief (09/08/13)

Touching Base: A Message from the Chief September 8, 2013

Dear Community Members and Department Personnel:

Our Community:

On August 17, I attended a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Court of Honor for four young men from Pasadena. The Eagle Scouts are members of Troop 27 and the court of honor was held at the First United Methodist Church. Family and friends watched as the scouts received BSA’s highest award. Approximately 1 out of about 500 scouts achieves this significant award (Photos @PPDChiefSanchez).

On August 20, I attended a Vision 20/20 meeting, which was held at the Flintridge Center. I spent my time with Flintridge Center’s Executive Director, Jaylene Moseley, and 20/20 representatives talking about the Pasadena Police Department’s 2013 Use of Force and Personnel Investigations. The 2013 data (January – June) is posted on the department’s webpage at: http://cityofpasadena.net/Police.

On September 3, Pasadena Police Sergeant Lomeli, PhD. provided keynote remarks at the Pasadena Lion’s Luncheon, which was held at the University Club. Sergeant Lomeli highlighted many of the youth programs offered by the Pasadena Police Department, including PAL, Explorers, YAB, Junior Public Safety Academy, and others. Please feel free to explore the Pasadena Police Department’s Webpage at, cityofpasadena.net/Police, for more information on these programs.

On September 4, the Pasadena Elks hosted a Police and Firefighters Appreciation Luncheon at the lodge. The event was very well attended by Pasadena Police, Fire, employees, Volunteers, and Elks members. This is the second time the Pasadena Elks Lodge has hosted our local first responders (Photos @PPDChiefSanchez).

On September 4, the Pasadena Police Department’s Community Relations Section hosted a group of Taiwanese Students at the police building. Police Specialist Jurado and Officer Ordonez facilitated the build tour for the students. The visit, which was coordinated by Pasadena Vice-Mayor Robinson, introduced the students to local government, cultures, and cuisines. The trip was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (Photos @PPDChiefSanchez).

On September 5, Pasadena city staff, elected officials, and community members attended a ceremony at the Pasadena Tournament House to hear the announcement of the 2014 Rose Parade Grand Marshal. In front of a pack house, Tournament President S. Jenkins announced that Vin Scully would serve as the parade’s next Grand Marshal (Photos @PPDChiefSanchez). Local broadcast news covered the announcement: http://ktla.com/2013/09/05/vin-scully-named-grand-marshal-of-tournament-of-roses/#axzz2e2yHQzrW.

Pasadena’s Finest:

On August 5, I received an email commending several Pasadena Police personnel for their exceptional professionalism, maturity, and sound judgment during a “man with a gun” investigation. The Pasadena community member wrote, “… I just want to say that I thought your department did a great job on the incident on N. Hudson Avenue. The responding officers were professional, thorough, swift and as quiet as they possibly could be given the circumstances…” At the conclusion of the incident, which lasted for about 2 hours, one subject was detained for mental evaluation. No weapon was located. Personnel included: Sergeant Afsharian, Officers Hammerstrom, S. Rappuchi, Hamblin, J. Calderon, Reep, Buccholz, Vandergrift, and Yoo.

On August 9, I received a letter from Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse commending the Pasadena Police Department for their efforts during the recent visit of the President of the United States to the City of Burbank. Personnel included: Sergeant Ortiz, Officers Blanchard, Blumenthal, De Sylva, Karg, Klotz, and Marquez.

On August 17, Pasadena Police Explorer Post 19 competed in the Police Explorer Games, which were held at Trask Camp in Monrovia. Several PPD employees went to encourage and support our explorers. The team competed in 11 police scenarios, and at the end, ranked 5th (overall) out of 22 teams. Post members included: Explorer Sergeants Gray and Hunter, Explorer Corporals Jones, Nolasco, and Jilkivorkian, and Explorers Barajas, Chaver, Hernandez, Orsoto, Alzaga, and Velazquez. Advisors include: Lieutenant Calatayud, Corporals Thompson, Gomez, and Russo; Officers Harris, Thomas, Schwab, Burris, Riley, and PS White. PPD personnel who assisted with training prior to the games included: Officers Gurrola, Blanchard, Locklin, Cass, and ID Tech Padilla. Game Judges included: Corporal McDonald and Officer Rappuchi. Also special thanks to Ms. Flor Braxton (parent of one of our explorers) for assisting with the games for the entire weekend.

On September 4, I received an email from a Pasadena community member commending Commander C. Russ and PS C. Murphy for their concern and professionalism during a follow-up investigation. The author wrote, “… I want you to know that Commander Russ and Officer Murphy were both exemplary in their dealings with me and my husband, and they count have been more helpful and respectful…”

On September 5, I received an email from Pasadena Human Services & Recreation Administrator Wormely commending several Pasadena staff members. Administrator Wormely wrote, “… I truly enjoy working with your command staff and the officers that patrol the city. They have always been courteous and have extended their support to me/Human Services & Recreation Department.

On September 6, I received an email from Sunset Oaks Neighborhood group commending Pasadena Police Lieutenant Clawson for his presentation at a recent neighborhood meeting. The author stated that Lieutenant Clawson’s presentation helped neighbors communicate better with one another.

Critical Incidents:

On August 29, Pasadena Police Detectives assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU) participated in “Operation Thumbs Down,” along with law enforcement personnel from the US Marshalls, California Department of Corrections, and other police agencies. Detectives arrested about 35 suspects for narcotics and other felonies following an 18-month investigation. The local media covered the story: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=9223789; http://www.abc7.com/apps

On September 1, at about 1:10 a.m.,Pasadena Police Officer Alvarado responded to a missing person investigation in the 50 block of North Craig Avenue. On arrival, Officer Alvarado talked with the victim’s daughter, who said her mother (Black Female, 74) had gone missing and was last seen on August 31. Apparently, the victim had been suffering from mild depression and hypertension due to the loss of her husband. Officer Alvarado coordinated a search of the immediate area; however, officers did not locate the victim. The officers obtained a vehicle description and entered the license number into a national data base. At about 2:30 a.m., the Pasadena Police Department received information that the victim’s vehicle had been spotted by security staff leaving the San Manuel Casino parking lot. A short time later, the victim was located, unharmed.

On September 3, just after midnight, Pasadena Police officers responded to a robbery investigation at El Cholo Restaurant. The restaurant had already closed when two suspects (Male Hispanics) entered the location. Both suspects were armed and ordered employees into the restroom. The suspects then took U.S. currency and fled the location. There were no injuries associated this this crime and our investigation is ongoing.

On September 3, at about 12:21 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the area of Los Robles Avenue and Corson Street regarding a Strong Arm Robbery. On arrival, officers talked with the victim who said he was riding his bicycle north on Los Robles Avenue when he was approached by the suspects (Male Blacks). The suspects then forcibly removed the victim’s wallet. When they saw that he (victim) did not have any cash, they immediately fled the area. The victim followed the suspects and called the police. PPD officers detained the suspects near Los Robles Avenue and Walnut Street. They were subsequently arrested without incident following a positive field show-up, and booked at the Pasadena jail.

On September 4, at about 1:31 a.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 2000 block of El Sereno Avenue regarding a call of shots fired. Witnesses said they saw three Male Blacks running from the area of the shots. PPD officers located some evidence, supporting that at least one shot was fired; however, they did not locate any victims or where the round struck. Our investigation is ongoing.

On September 5, at about 10:00 p.m., Pasadena Police officers responded to the 500 block of North Marengo Avenue regarding an Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon investigation. On arrival, PPD officers located the victim (17-year old Male, Los Angeles Resident) who was intoxicated and uncooperative. The victim was suffering from a laceration on his arm; however he refused to provide any suspect information.

On September 8, at about 10:22 a.m. Pasadena Police officers responded to a call of a man down in Villa Parke. The caller reported the victim was not breathing. Pasadena Police and Fire personnel located the victim (White Male, 58 years old) in the middle of the park laying face down. The victim was nonresponsive and fire paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County’s Office was notified along with Pasadena Police detectives. Detectives did not discover any apparent trauma during their preliminary investigation. The victim was wearing a medical alert bracelet issued in San Gabriel. Our investigation is ongoing.